In order to make sure Florida Gators-related news stories don't fall through the cracks, once or twice a week The Silver Lining will take on a "news and notes" format to keep you up-to-date with the latest goings on in the world of University of Florida athletics.

Gators fans were reportedly attacked a few weeks ago by former quarterback Doug Johnson, who has been accused in beating up "a Gainesville man so badly after a UF football game that the victim blacked out," according to The Gainesville Sun. Johnson is one of three people who have been charged with felony battery after allegedly attacking another group of people at 9:30 p.m. following the Florida-LSU football game. Everyone involved in the fight was apparently rooting for the same team, which certainly makes the case even stranger as there is no noted reason that the tussle occurred.

A total of nine Gators football players are participating in postseason senior all-star bowl games. In addition to the eight already mentioned here on ITG, defensive tackle Omar Hunter has been added to the roster for the Raycom College All-Star Classic, which is being held for the first time. He is being coached by former Florida defensive coordinator Jim Bates. Wide receivers Frankie Hammond Jr. and Omarius Hines competed but barely put up any stats in the Casino Del Sol College All-Star Game last week. Safety Josh Evans, kicker Caleb Sturgis and linebacker Lerentee McCray are playing in the East-West Shrine Game on Saturday at 4 p.m. on NFL Network. Running back Mike Gillislee, tackle Xavier Nixon and LB Jon Bostic will participate in the Under Armour Senior Bowl on Saturday, Jan. 26 at 4 p.m. also on the NFL Network.

Though Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey failed to capture any annual awards despite having a better season than his brother, he did receive some words of praise from future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, who has now played against him four times over Pouncey's first two seasons. Wilfork recently gushed over Pouncey's talent and future in the league. "This guy is a very smart football player. It's rare that you find a center that can pull out into the open field and block DBs and linebackers, especially up front being able to orchestrate that offensive line and getting everybody in the right position that they need to be in," he said. "He definitely doesn't play like he's only two years in and because he's a real, real good center, offensive lineman in this game. It's just hard to know that he's only two years in - that's the scary thing. He has a very bright future ahead of him and I think those guys, they rally around him. … He's definitely a hell of a person, a hell of a player."

Outraged were his fans when then-New York Knicks forward David Lee was not named an NBA All-Star after a fantastic season in 2010. Golden State Warriors fans may feel the same way on Thursday if Lee is not picked for the team this season. Lee is not currently set to win the fan vote for a spot on the team, which is not surprising considering the market in which he plays and the fact that he is not a big name on the scene, but the NBA would certainly be foolish not to choose him to be a reserve on the team. Lee is currently averaging a double-double of 19.9 points and 10.9 rebounds, which ranks him 10th in the league in scoring and fifth in rebounds per game. In fact, he even leads the league with the most 20-10 games (16). Back in 2010, Lee was putting up similarly gaudy stats on a bad New York team; this time around he's doing it for a Golden State squad that is ranked fifth in the Western Conference. Expect to see Lee on the NBA All-Star team when it is announced Thursday. He could be joined by either Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah and/or Atlanta Hawks forward Al Horford.

Some readers have been asking about five-star forward Julius Randle and where he stands in his recruitment. Randle had to take a step back late in November when he fractured his right foot, underwent surgery and began the process of a three-month recovery. He has always maintained that he will commit to a basketball program after he finishes his official visits, and one could assume that some shuffling went on with those scheduled dates after his injury. He is expected to decide between Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, N.C. State and Texas, and the Gators should at least be in his final three at the end of this process. Randle has a great relationship with Florida head coach Billy Donvoan and the Gators can pitch going head-to-head with UK's new "fab five" alongside fellow five-star recruits point guard Kasey Hill and power forward Chris Walker for the 2013-14 the season.